Feasibility and efficacy of gamification in general surgery residency: Preliminary outcomes of residency teams

Background: Comprehensive studies evaluating the efficacy of team-based competition (“Gamification”) in surgery have not been performed. Board pass rates and resident satisfaction may improve if surgical residents are involved in competition. Methods: Residents at Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, New York) were surveyed and separated into teams during a draft. Each resident's performance was converted into a point system. Resident scores were combined into a team score and presented as a leaderboard. Awards were given. ABSITE, ACGME residency satisfaction, and ABS qualifying exam pass rates were compared. Results: Sixty percent of residents are inspired to improve their performance during gamification. ABSITE average percentile score improved from 28 to 43. ABS qualifying exam pass rates improved from 73% to 100%. Resident satisfaction improved from 65% to 88%. The point system allowed for establishing “growth curves” for each resident enabling enhanced assessment of residents. Conclusions: A comprehensive team-based competition inspires performance, is feasible, and seems to improve ABSITE scores, ABS pass rates, and satisfaction while being a tool for assessment of performance.